U.S. patent application number 17/222314 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-22 for condition correction unit.
The applicant listed for this patent is TS TECH CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kensuke Mizoi.
Application Number | 20210221259 17/222314 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005495233 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210221259 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mizoi; Kensuke |
July 22, 2021 |
CONDITION CORRECTION UNIT
Abstract
A condition correction unit includes a plan storage unit
configured to store correction plans showing contents of correction
of the body condition of a seated person, a presentation unit
configured to read a correction plan based on a current value
measured by a measurement unit from the plan storage unit and
present the correction plan to the seated person, and a processing
execution unit configured to execute processing to correct posture
by controlling an operating unit. The plan storage unit stores the
correction plan presented by the presentation unit in association
with information identifying the seated person when the correction
plan is presented. The processing execution unit reads the
correction plan associated with the information identifying the
seated person from the plan storage unit, and executes the
processing to correct the posture according to correction contents
shown by the correction plan.
Inventors: |
Mizoi; Kensuke; (Tochigi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TS TECH CO., LTD. |
Asaka-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005495233 |
Appl. No.: |
17/222314 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15770014 |
Apr 20, 2018 |
10967758 |
|
|
PCT/JP2016/081250 |
Oct 21, 2016 |
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17222314 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/1623 20130101;
B60N 2/976 20180201; A61B 5/0816 20130101; A61H 9/0078 20130101;
A61B 5/1077 20130101; A61B 5/6893 20130101; B60N 2/665 20150401;
B60N 2/90 20180201; A61B 5/18 20130101; A61B 5/4561 20130101; A61H
2201/0207 20130101; A61H 2201/0149 20130101; B60N 2002/026
20130101; A61H 2230/625 20130101; A61H 2201/5061 20130101; B60N
2002/981 20180201; A61B 5/7455 20130101; B60N 2/56 20130101; A61H
1/0292 20130101; A61H 1/00 20130101; B60N 2002/0268 20130101; B60N
2/914 20180201; B60N 2/0228 20130101; B60N 2/002 20130101; B60N
2/0244 20130101; A61B 5/1126 20130101; A61H 2201/5002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/02 20060101
B60N002/02; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; A61B 5/11 20060101
A61B005/11; B60N 2/90 20060101 B60N002/90; B60N 2/66 20060101
B60N002/66; B60N 2/56 20060101 B60N002/56; A61B 5/08 20060101
A61B005/08; A61B 5/18 20060101 A61B005/18; A61H 1/00 20060101
A61H001/00; B60N 2/00 20060101 B60N002/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 22, 2015 |
JP |
2015-208274 |
Claims
1. A condition correction unit comprising: an operating unit
configured to operate to correct a body condition of a seated
person seated in a conveyance seat; an identification information
acquisition unit configured to acquire information identifying the
seated person seated in the conveyance seat; a measurement unit
configured to measure a current value of an indicator for
determining the body condition; a plan storage unit configured to
store correction plans showing contents of correction of the body
condition; a presentation unit configured to read a correction plan
based on the current value from the plan storage unit and presents
the correction plan to the seated person seated in the conveyance
seat; and a processing execution unit configured to execute
processing to correct the body condition by controlling the
operating unit, wherein the plan storage unit stores the correction
plan presented by the presentation unit in association with the
information identifying the seated person seated in the conveyance
seat when the presentation unit presents the correction plan, and
the processing execution unit reads the correction plan associated
with the information identifying the seated person seated in the
conveyance seat from the plan storage unit, and executes the
processing to correct the body condition according to the
correction contents shown by the read correction plan.
2. The condition correction unit according to claim 1, further
comprising: a plan change unit configured to change the correction
plan associated with the information identifying the seated person
seated in the conveyance seat when the presentation unit presents
the correction plan, from the correction plan to another of the
correction plans stored in the plan storage unit, wherein the
measurement unit re-measures the current value after a date when
the processing is started, and in accordance with the current value
re-measured by the measurement unit after the date when the
processing is started, the plan change unit changes the correction
plan associated with the information identifying the seated person
seated in the conveyance seat when the presentation unit presents
the correction plan.
3. The condition correction unit according to claim 1, further
comprising: a total sitting time management unit configured to
manage a total sitting time that is a cumulative total value of
times when a seated person having the same identification
information is seated in the conveyance seat, wherein in accordance
with the correction contents shown by the correction plan read from
the plan storage unit, the processing execution unit executes the
processing to correct the body condition in a correction mode based
on the total sitting time.
4. The condition correction unit according to claim 1, wherein the
measurement unit measures the current value on a seated person
having the same identification information for a plurality of
measurement dates, and the condition correction unit further
comprises a comparison unit configured to compare the current value
measured by the measurement unit on a previous measurement date
with the current value measured by the measurement unit on a
measurement date before the previous measurement date.
5. The condition correction unit according to claim 1, further
comprising a warming unit configured to warm a predetermined part
of the body of the seated person seated in the conveyance seat.
6. The condition correction unit according to claim 1, further
comprising a vibration application unit configured to apply
vibrations to a predetermined part of the body of the seated person
seated in the conveyance seat.
7. The condition correction unit according to claim 1, further
comprising: an information display unit configured to display
information on a screen, wherein the information display unit
displays information based on the current value measured by the
measurement unit, and the presentation unit allows the information
display unit to display the correction plan on the screen, thereby
presenting the correction plan.
8. The condition correction unit according to claim 1, wherein the
identification information acquisition unit communicates with a
portable terminal held by the seated person seated in the
conveyance seat and acquires the identification information from
the portable terminal.
9. The condition correction unit according to claim 1, further
comprising: a determination unit configured to determine, from the
current value, a curved condition of a spine as the body condition,
wherein the presentation unit reads a correction plan suitable for
the curved condition of the spine determined by the determination
unit from the plan storage unit and presents the correction plan to
the seated person seated in the conveyance seat.
10. The condition correction unit according to claim 9, wherein the
operating unit has a plurality of air bags that are bulged to press
the seated person seated in the conveyance seat from a back side,
each of the plurality of air bags is bulged to a preset bulging
pressure in a stage before the seated person is seated in the
conveyance seat, the measurement unit uses the bulging pressure,
changed due to sitting down in the conveyance seat, as the
indicator and measures the current value of the bulging pressure,
and the determination unit determines the curved condition of the
spine from the current value of the bulging pressure of each of the
plurality of air bags.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/770,014, filed Apr. 20, 2018, now U.S. Pat.
No. 10,967,758, which is a National Stage Entry application of PCT
Application No. PCT/JP2016/081250, filed Oct. 21, 2016, which
claims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. JP
2015-208274, filed Oct. 22, 2015, the contents being incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a condition correction
unit that corrects the body condition of a seated person and, more
particularly, relates to a condition correction unit capable of
correcting the body condition of a seated person with the
correction contents suitable for individual characteristics of the
seated person.
[0003] A technique for correcting the posture or the like of a
seated person by detecting the posture or the like of the seated
person and moving portions of a seat according to the result of the
detection has been already known (see, e.g. Japanese Patent
Publication JP 2014-118030 A, "Patent Literature 1"). Specifically,
a technique described in Patent Literature 1 detects the posture of
a seated person in a vehicle seat and adjusts the bulging pressure
of air bags disposed in a backrest of a seatback according to the
result of the detection, thereby correcting the posture of the
seated person to a proper posture.
[0004] In particular, the technique described in Patent Literature
1 uses information provided by a seated posture unique to a seated
person as a determination factor for determining the bulging
pressure of the air bags (in other words, the shape of the seat).
Thus, the shape of a seat, which is less likely to place a burden
on a seated person during the correction of posture, can be
determined.
[0005] Meanwhile, there are individual differences in how the
burden is placed. Even if different seated persons are seated in
similar postures, the burden placed during the correction can vary
among individuals. Thus, for correcting the body condition of a
seated person such as his or her seated posture, it is important to
grasp in advance individual characteristics of the seated person
(such as age and gender) and correct the body condition with the
contents suitable for the grasped individual characteristics.
[0006] Also, in correcting the body condition of a seated person,
typically, a current value of a seated posture or the like is
measured to correct the body condition with the contents according
to the measurement value. Thus, in terms of setting more proper
correction contents, it is preferable to perform a more proper
measurement of a body condition.
[0007] Further, when correction is performed repeatedly multiple
times at different dates and times, it is important for a person to
be corrected (that is, a seated person), to manage the effect of
each correction (the degree of improvement in the body condition by
the correction). This requires a technology (equipment) to inform a
seated person of the effect of each correction properly.
SUMMARY
[0008] Thus, the present disclosure has been made in view of the
above problem, and its object is to provide a condition correction
unit capable of correcting the body condition of a seated person
with the correction contents suitable for individual
characteristics of the seated person. It is another object of the
present disclosure to perform a proper measurement of a body
condition for correcting the body condition. It is still another
object of the present disclosure to inform a seated person of the
effect of correction properly.
[0009] The above-described problem is solved by a condition
correction unit of the present disclosure that includes an
operating unit that operates to correct a body condition of a
seated person seated in a conveyance seat, an identification
information acquisition unit that acquires information identifying
the seated person seated in the conveyance seat, a measurement unit
that measures a current value of an indicator for determining the
body condition, a plan storage unit that stores correction plans
showing contents of correction of the body condition, a
presentation unit that reads a correction plan based on the current
value from the plan storage unit and presents the correction plan
to the seated person seated in the conveyance seat, and a
processing execution unit that executes processing to correct the
body condition by controlling the operating unit, in which the plan
storage unit stores the correction plan presented by the
presentation unit in association with the information identifying
the seated person seated in the conveyance seat when the
presentation unit presents the correction plan, and the processing
execution unit reads the correction plan associated with the
information identifying the seated person seated in the conveyance
seat from the plan storage unit, and executes the processing to
correct the body condition according to the correction contents
shown by the read correction plan.
[0010] In the condition correction unit of the present disclosure
configured as above, the current value of the indicator for
determining body condition is measured, and a correction plan based
on the measurement value is presented to a seated person. The
presented correction plan is stored in association with information
identifying the seated person seated in the conveyance seat when
the plan is presented. When correction is performed on the seated
person, the correction plan associated with the information
identifying the seated person is read and the body condition is
corrected according to correction contents shown by the correction
plan. As a result, the condition correction unit of the present
disclosure can properly correct the body condition of the seated
person with the correction contents suitable for individual
characteristics of the seated person.
[0011] Preferably, the condition correction unit further includes a
plan change unit that changes the correction plan associated with
the information identifying the seated person seated in the
conveyance seat when the presentation unit presents the correction
plan, from the correction plan to another of the correction plans
stored in the plan storage unit, and the measurement unit
re-measures the current value after a date when the processing is
started, and in accordance with the current value re-measured by
the measurement unit after the date when the processing is started,
the plan change unit changes the correction plan associated with
the information identifying the seated person seated in the
conveyance seat when the presentation unit presents the correction
plan. In the above configuration, the body condition is re-measured
after the date when correction of the body condition is started. IN
accordance with the re-measurement value, the correction plan
associated with the information identifying the seated person is
changed. This allows a correction plan applied during the
correction to be reviewed appropriately as needed, according to the
degree of correction (degree of improvement) of the body condition,
and more effective correction of the body condition can be
made.
[0012] More preferably, the condition correction unit further
includes a total sitting time management unit that manages a total
sitting time that is a cumulative total value of times when a
seated person having the same identification information is seated
in the conveyance seat, and in accordance with the correction
contents shown by the correction plan read from the plan storage
unit, the processing execution unit executes the processing to
correct the body condition in a correction mode based on the total
sitting time. In the above configuration, the body condition is
corrected in a correction mode based on a cumulative total value of
times when the same seated person is seated in the conveyance seat
(total sitting time). This enables proper adjustment of loads
during the correction according to the total sitting time. For
example, it is possible to perform correction in such a manner that
loads are reduced in an early stage of the correction (that is,
when the total sitting time is relatively short), and it is
possible to perform correction in such a manner that loads are
increased gradually as the total sitting time increases.
[0013] More preferably, in the condition correction unit, the
measurement unit measures the current value on a seated person
having the same identification information for a plurality of
measurement dates, and the condition correction unit further
includes a comparison unit that compares the current value measured
by the measurement unit on a previous measurement date with the
current value measured by the measurement unit on a measurement
date before the previous measurement date. In the above
configuration, measurement of body condition on the same seated
person is performed for a plurality of measurement dates, and a
previous measurement value is compared with a measurement value
before the previous measurement value. This comparison enables
proper evaluation of the effect of correction (the degree of
improvement in body condition by correction).
[0014] The condition correction unit may further include a warming
unit for warming a predetermined part of the body of the seated
person seated in the conveyance seat. The above configuration
allows the body of the seated person to be warmed in correction so
that the body condition of the seated person is transitioned to an
easy-to-correct condition.
[0015] The condition correction unit may further include a
vibration application unit that applies vibrations to a
predetermined part of the body of the seated person seated in the
conveyance seat. The above configuration enables application of
vibrations to a predetermined body part of a seated person in
correction, thereby relaxing tension in the body part (muscle
tension) or building up the muscle strength of the body part.
[0016] Preferably, the condition correction unit further includes
an information display unit that displays information on a screen,
and the information display unit displays information based on the
current value measured by the measurement unit, and the
presentation unit allows the information display unit to display
the correction plan on the screen, thereby presenting the
correction plan. In the above configuration, the display of a
measurement value on body condition and the presentation of a
correction plan are performed through a screen. This allows a
seated person to check the current body condition, a corresponding
correction plan, and additionally the body condition after
correction (that is, the effect of correction) through the
screen.
[0017] Still more preferably, in the condition correction unit, the
identification information acquisition unit communicates with a
portable terminal held by the seated person seated in the
conveyance seat and acquires the identification information from
the portable terminal. In the above configuration, information
identifying a seated person is acquired through communication with
a portable terminal held by the seated person. This configuration
enables relatively easy acquisition of information identifying a
seated person.
[0018] Still more preferably, the condition correction unit further
includes a determination unit that determines from the current
value a curved condition of a spine as the body condition, and the
presentation unit reads a correction plan suitable for the curved
condition of the spine determined by the determination unit from
the plan storage unit and presents the correction plan to the
seated person seated in the conveyance seat. In the above
configuration, a curved condition of the spine is determined after
measurement on the curved condition of the spine as the body
condition is performed. Then, a correction plan according to the
determination result is selected and presented to the seated
person. This configuration allows a seated person in a so-called
round-shouldered posture or backward-bent posture to undergo
posture correction suitable for individual characteristics of the
seated person.
[0019] Still more preferably, in the condition correction unit, the
operating unit has a plurality of air bags that are bulged to press
the seated person seated in the conveyance seat from a back side,
each of the plurality of air bags bulges to a preset bulging
pressure in a stage before the seated person is seated in the
conveyance seat, the measurement unit uses the bulging pressure,
changed due to sitting down in the conveyance seat, as the
indicator and measures the current value of the bulging pressure,
and the determination unit determines the curved condition of the
spine from the current value of the bulging pressure of each of the
plurality of air bags. The above configuration corrects the body
condition (specifically, the curved condition of the spine) of a
seated person using the air bags that press the seated person from
the back side. The above configuration measures the current values
of the bulging pressures of the air bags, changed due to sitting
down in the seat, as measurements on the body condition of the
seated person. That is, the above configuration uses the air bags
for correction and for measurement of body condition. This enables
more effective use of the air bags.
[0020] According to the present disclosure, the body condition of a
seated person can be properly corrected with correction contents
suitable for individual characteristics of the seated person.
Further, according to the present disclosure, a correction plan
used during the correction can be reviewed appropriately as needed,
according to the degree of correction (degree of improvement) of
the body condition. Further, according to the present disclosure,
loads during the correction can be properly adjusted according to a
total sitting time in a conveyance seat. Further, according to the
present disclosure, the effect of correction can be evaluated by
measuring the body condition of the same seated person for a
plurality of measurement dates and comparing measurement values.
Further, according to the present disclosure, the body of a seated
person can be warmed in correction so that the body condition of
the seated person is transitioned to an easy-to-correct condition.
Further, according to the present disclosure, vibrations can be
applied to a predetermined body part of a seated person in
correction to relax tension (muscle tension) in the body part or
build up the muscle strength of the body part. Further, according
to the present disclosure, a seated person can check the current
body condition, a corresponding correction plan, and additionally
the body condition after correction through a screen. Further,
according to the present disclosure, via communication with a
portable terminal held by a seated person, information identifying
the seated person can be acquired relatively easily. Further,
according to the present disclosure, the curved condition of the
spine of a seated person is determined, and therefore the curved
condition can be corrected properly with correction contents
suitable for individual characteristics of the seated person.
Further, according to the present disclosure, the air bags are used
for correction and measurement of body condition, and therefore the
air bags can be utilized more effectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a conveyance seat
equipped with a condition correction unit of the present
disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
condition correction unit of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen for checking the body
condition of a seated person.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ECU as a
controller from a functional standpoint.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing correction plans and a plan
management table stored in a storage unit.
[0026] FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of a correction method for
correcting a round-shouldered posture.
[0027] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a condition in an ideal
posture.
[0028] FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram of a correction method for
correcting a backward-bent posture.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when
showing the result of posture determination.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when
presenting a correction plan.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when
showing the results of posture comparison.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a first-time flow
of posture correction (first).
[0033] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of the first-time flow
of posture correction (second).
[0034] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a process of ideal correction
of posture.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process of correction mode
setting.
[0036] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of a normal-time flow
of posture correction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure (the
present embodiment) will be described using its configuration
example and operation example. The following takes a vehicle seat
as an example of a conveyance seat, and describes a condition
correction unit that corrects the body condition of a seated person
seated in a vehicle seat (hereinafter, a seated person). It is
noted that the condition correction unit of the present disclosure
is also applicable to conveyance seats other than vehicle seats,
and specifically, is also applicable to seats mounted on
conveyances other than vehicles (such as aircrafts and ships).
[0038] In the following description, a "body condition" to be
corrected by the condition correction unit of the present
disclosure means an orthopedic condition among conditions of a
human body, and specifically, is the condition of a skeletal frame,
joints, muscles, and others. An example of the body condition may
include the curved condition of a spine (in other words, posture),
the condition of muscle tension, a distortion in a skeletal frame,
or the like. The following describes a configuration for correcting
the curved condition of a spine (posture) as the "body condition."
However, an object to be corrected by the condition correction unit
of the present disclosure is not limited to the curved condition of
a spine (posture). Other "body conditions" such as the condition of
muscle tension and a distortion in a skeletal frame may be
corrected by the condition correction unit of the present
disclosure.
<<Overview of Condition Correction Unit According to the
Present Embodiment>>
[0039] First, an overview of the condition correction unit
according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, simply a
condition correction unit 1) is described. The condition correction
unit 1 is mounted in a vehicle, and is used for the purpose of
improving the health condition of a seated person in a vehicle seat
S in a stepwise manner. More specifically, the condition correction
unit 1 corrects the posture of a seated person, that is, the curved
condition of the spine while the seated person is seated in the
vehicle seat S. In the present embodiment, posture correction by
the condition correction unit 1 is performed continuously, not at
one time, and is advanced according to a preset plan (correction
plan).
[0040] Specifically, for correction plans, a plurality of
candidates is prepared, and one correction plan is selected from
them. The condition correction unit 1 performs posture correction
according to correction contents shown by the selected correction
plan. Here, "correction contents" are details of posture
correction, examples of which include a part of the body of a
seated person on which a load is applied during the posture
correction, a load balance between plural body parts when loads are
applied to the body parts, a correction duration, a posture as an
ultimate goal (specifically, an ideal posture described below), and
a standard magnitude of a load during the correction.
[0041] In the present embodiment, individual characteristics of a
seated person are reflected in the selection of a correction plan.
Thus, in the present embodiment, posture correction suitable for
individual characteristics of a seated person is performed. This
point is a characteristic of the present embodiment, and this
characteristic will be described in detail below.
[0042] In the present embodiment, the condition correction unit 1
is mounted in a seat corresponding to a driver's seat of vehicle
seats S. That is, the condition correction unit 1 is used for
correcting the posture of a driver, but not limited thereto. The
condition correction unit 1 may be mounted in a seat other than the
driver's seat (e.g., a passenger seat or a rear seat).
<<Configuration Example of Condition Correction
Unit>>
[0043] First, to describe a configuration example of the condition
correction unit 1, the configuration of the vehicle seat S in which
the condition correction unit 1 is mounted is described. As shown
in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat S has a seat back S1 that supports the
back of a seated person from behind, a seat cushion S2 that
supports the buttocks of a seated person from below, and a headrest
S3 that supports the head of a seated person from behind. The basic
configuration of each of these seat components is a known
configuration and therefore will not be described.
[0044] Next, a configuration example of the condition correction
unit 1 is described. The condition correction unit 1 includes
equipment disposed in or around the vehicle seat S. More
specifically, the condition correction unit 1 has equipment, i.e.,
an operating unit that is installed in the vehicle seat S and
operable to correct the posture of a seated person.
[0045] To describe the operating unit in detail, there is a
plurality of supports including the operating unit in the seat back
S1 of the vehicle seat S. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the
seat back S1 is provided with a pair of shoulder supports 11, a
lumbar support 12, a pelvis support 13, and side supports 14.
[0046] The shoulder supports 11 in the seat back S1 are portions
that support the shoulders of a seated person in a seated condition
on the vehicle seat S (technically, a seated person having standard
proportions, and hereinafter, the same applies in this paragraph),
and are provided right and left as shown in FIG. 1. The lumbar
support 12 in the seat back S1 is a portion that supports the
lumbar of a seated person, and is provided in a lower portion of
the seat back S1 as shown in FIG. 1. The pelvis support 13 in the
seat back S1 is a portion that supports a part of the body of a
seated person where the pelvis is located, and is provided below
the lumbar support 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The side supports 14 are
portions that are laterally fitted to the body of a seated person,
and are provided on the inside of portions formed by raised both
end portions in the width direction in the seat back S1 (banks) as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0047] The above-described four supports each have an air bag.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the shoulder supports 11 are each
provided with a shoulder air bag 11a, the lumbar support 12 is
provided with a lumbar air bag 12a, and the pelvis support 13 is
provided with a pelvis air bag 13a. The side supports 14 are also
each provided with an air bag, which is not shown in FIG. 2.
[0048] The air bags are disposed in the seat back S1 or on the
front of the seat back S1. The air bags are filled with air to be
bulged. Such bulging of the air bags corrects the posture of a
seated person. More specifically, when the air bags are bulged
while a seated person is seated in the vehicle seat S, the seated
person is pressed from the back side by the air bags. The posture
of the seated person is corrected by the pressing forces. Pressing
forces produced by the bulging of the air bags correspond to loads
acting on a seated person during the posture correction (correction
loads).
[0049] The supply of air to the air bags is performed by an
actuator 18 shown in FIG. 2. The air supplied from the actuator 18
passes through tubes (not shown) that form air supply paths, and is
contained into the air bags. Further, in a position at the front of
each air bag, an electromagnetic valve V for adjusting the amount
of air to be contained into the air bag is installed. The actuator
18 and the electromagnetic valves V described above configure the
"operating unit" of the present disclosure together with the air
bags.
[0050] In the present embodiment, the air bags filled with air to
be bulged are used as pressing means that is bulged to press a
seated person. Instead, bag bodies bulged by being filled with
fluid other than air, e.g. liquid may be used. The present
disclosure is not limited to those bulged to press a seated person
such as air bags and bag bodies. Members of a fixed shape such as
roller-shaped bodies, ball-shaped bodies, or block-shaped bodies
may be pressed against a seated person to press the seated
person.
[0051] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a
heater 15 and a vibration application device 16 are provided as
auxiliary mechanisms for effectively performing posture correction
by the air bags. The heater 15 corresponds to a warming unit, and
warms a predetermined part of the body of a seated person seated in
the vehicle seat S. The heater 15 is provided and thereby the body
of a seated person is warmed from the back side at the time of the
posture correction. Warming the body of a seated person from the
back side in this manner improves the responsivity (ease of press)
of the body of a seated person to the pressing forces (loads) of
the air bags, and consequently, further facilitates the posture
correction.
[0052] The vibration application device 16 corresponds to a
vibration application unit, and applies vibrations to a
predetermined part of the body (technically, the back) of a seated
person seated in the vehicle seat S. The vibration application
device 16 is provided and thereby tension (muscle tension) in the
back of a seated person is relaxed with the vibrations applied to
the back at the time of the posture correction. This improves the
responsivity (ease of press) of the body of a seated person to the
pressing forces (loads) of the air bags, and consequently, further
facilitates the posture correction.
[0053] Although the vibration application device 16 is used for
relaxing the tension of a seated person in the present embodiment,
the use of the vibration application device 16 is not limited to
the above content. For example, the vibration application device 16
may be used for the purpose of building up the muscle strength of
the back of a seated person. The vibration application device 16
may also be used for the purpose of increasing the wakefulness of a
seated person when the wakefulness is low (for example, when the
seated person is dozing).
[0054] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, the condition correction unit
1 includes a controller for controlling the above-described
operating unit (technically, the actuator 18 and the
electromagnetic valves V). The controller includes an electric
control unit (ECU) 41 mounted in the vehicle. The ECU 41 has a
built-in control circuit for posture correction. When the ECU 41
controls the actuator 18 to be turned on/off and controls the
degree of opening of the electromagnetic valves V through the
control circuit for posture correction, the bulging pressures of
the air bags are adjusted. As a result, pressing forces (loads)
corresponding to the bulging pressures of the air bags are applied
to the back of a seated person to correct the posture of the seated
person.
[0055] The ECU 41 communicates with various sensors installed in
the vehicle through an in-vehicle network to obtain measurement
values of the various sensors. In other words, the ECU 41 can
measure the current values of various control items by
cooperatively with the various sensors in the vehicle. The control
items to be measured by the ECU 41 (that is, objects to be
measured) include items relating to the seated condition of a
seated person.
[0056] More specifically, sensors for measuring the seated
condition of a seated person include a respiration sensor 31,
bulging pressure sensors 32, pressure sensors 33, and a weight
sensor 34. These sensors are used in a state where the sensors are
attached to the vehicle seat S.
[0057] To describe the sensors, all of the bulging pressure sensors
32 and the pressure sensors 33 are sensors installed to determine
the body condition of a seated person, specifically, his or her
seated posture. The bulging pressure sensors 32 are installed on
the respective air bags to measure the current values of the
bulging pressures of the air bags. As in the bulging pressure
sensors 32, the pressure sensors 33 are installed on the respective
air bags, and specifically are attached to the front of the air
bags as shown in FIG. 2 or to the top of the air bags. The ECU 41
measures the current values of indicators for determining the
seated posture of a seated person through the bulging pressure
sensors 32 and the pressure sensors 33 while the seated person is
seated in the vehicle seat S.
[0058] More specifically, in the present embodiment, in a stage
before a seated person is seated in the vehicle seat S, the air
bags (specifically, the shoulder air bags 11a, the lumbar air bag
12a, and the pelvis air bag 13a) are each bulged to a preset
bulging pressure. When a seated person sits down in the vehicle
seat S in this state, the bulging pressures of the air bags change.
The ECU 41 measures the changed bulging pressures of the respective
air bags through the bulging pressure sensors 32. Here, the bulging
pressures of the air bags (in other words, the bulging pressure
balance between the air bags) have values appropriate to the seated
posture of the seated person. That is, as an indicator for
determining the seated posture of a seated person, the ECU 41
measures the current values of the bulging pressures of the air
bags changeable when the seated person sits in the vehicle seat
S.
[0059] As above, in the present embodiment, the air bags are used
both for the posture correction and for the measurement of the
seated condition of a seated person. Thus, the air bags are
utilized more effectively.
[0060] The ECU 41 also measures the current values of pressures
applied to the seat back S1 through the pressure sensors 33
provided for the corresponding air bags when a seated person sits
in the vehicle seat S. Specifically, when a seated person sits in
the vehicle seat S and leans on the seat back S1 and pressures are
applied to the front of the air bags from the back of the seated
person, the pressure sensors 33 detect the pressures and the ECU 41
measures the magnitudes of the detected pressures through the
pressure sensors 33. Here, the pressures measured for the
respective airbags vary depending on the installation locations of
the air bags. The pressure balance between the air bags has a value
appropriate to the seated posture of the seated person. That is, as
an indicator for determining the seated posture of a seated person,
the ECU 41 measures the current values of pressures when the seated
person is seated in the vehicle seat S.
[0061] As described above, in the present embodiment, in
determining the seated posture of a seated person, two indicators
(specifically, the bulging pressures of the air bags and pressures
applied to the seat back S1) are measured. This enables more proper
determination of a seated posture than when only one of the two
indicators is measured. More specifically, when only the bulging
pressures of the air bags are measured to determine a seated
posture, the bulging pressures changed when a seated person sits in
the vehicle seat S are measured. However, even if the bulging
pressures are changed, in some cases, it is difficult to determine
whether the change is due to sitting down in the seat or due to
other reasons (for example, filling of air into the air bags).
Meanwhile, when only pressures applied on the seat back S1 are
measured by the pressure sensors 33 to determine a seated posture,
the measurement by the pressure sensors 33 is not performed
correctly unless the back of a seated person is properly in contact
with portions of the seat back S1 where the air bags are
located.
[0062] By contrast, in the present embodiment, two indicators are
measured in determining the seated posture of a seated person, and
thus the seated posture of a seated person can be determined more
properly than in the above-described case where only one indicator
is measured, but the present disclosure is not limited to such a
configuration. Alternatively, only one of the two indicators may be
measured.
[0063] The ECU 41 also measures a seated condition other than a
seated posture, using the respiration sensor 31 and the weight
sensor 34. Specifically, the ECU 41 specifies the wakefulness of a
seated person, using the respiration sensor 31 as a
pressure-sensitive resistance-type sensor installed in a rear end
portion of the seat cushion S2. To describe it more strictly, the
ECU 41 measures, with the respiration sensor 31, periodic
variations in sitting pressure, which is synchronous with the
respiration of a seated (a respiratory waveform), the ECU 4
determines the wakefulness of the seated person from the
measurement values. Also, the ECU 41 measures a load acting on the
vehicle seat S using the weight sensor 34 and specifies the
presence or absence of a seated person from the measurement
value.
[0064] Further, the ECU 41 communicates with in-vehicle sensors
other than the above-described sensors through the in-vehicle
network to obtain measurement values of the in-vehicle sensors. For
example, the ECU 41 communicates with a vehicle speed sensor 42 to
obtain a current value of the travelling speed (vehicle speed).
[0065] Furthermore, the ECU 41 can communicate with a communication
device other than the above-described ones located in the vehicle
through the in-vehicle network to obtain information from the
communication device. Specifically, the ECU 41 communicates with a
smartphone 44 as a portable terminal held by a seated person to
obtain information about the seated person (technically,
identification information described below). Further, the ECU 41
communicates with a car navigation device 43 to obtain information
about a scheduled distance and a scheduled travelling route to be
travelled by the vehicle on that day.
[0066] Furthermore, the ECU 41 communicates with an electronic toll
collection (ETC) 47 when the vehicle passes in front of the ETC 47,
and thereby obtains information for specifying a place where the
vehicle is travelling (technically, information indicating whether
the vehicle is traveling on an expressway).
[0067] Furthermore, the ECU 41 can be connected to a portable
memory 45, which is a portable recording medium such as a USB
memory or an SD card (registered trademark), and can transfer and
receive data to and from the portable memory 45. That is, the ECU
41 can write information stored in it in the portable memory 45 and
also can read information stored in the portable memory 45.
[0068] Furthermore, the ECU 41 can communicate with a tablet
terminal provided in the vehicle (hereinafter, an in-vehicle tablet
terminal 46) to display information on a monitor screen
(corresponding to a screen) of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46.
More specifically, the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 is disposed
around the vehicle seat S (technically, in a position that allows a
seated person to easily operate), and as shown in FIG. 1, the
in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 is set on the top of a stanchion
extending upward from the floor of the vehicle body.
[0069] The ECU 41 generates data for displaying image information
and character string information (information display data) and
transmits the information display data to the in-vehicle tablet
terminal 46. The in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 receives the
information display data through the in-vehicle network and then
develops this, and displays the information indicated by the data
on the monitor screen. This allows the seated person to check
various kinds of information transmitted from the ECU 41 on the
monitor screen, and as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the seated
person can check the seated condition measured by the ECU 41.
[0070] A screen example shown in FIG. 3 is only an example of the
monitor screen. The design and screen layout thereof are not
limited to those shown in FIG. 3 and can be set as desired.
Further, in FIG. 3, information on the respiratory condition
(technically, a respiratory waveform and a wakefulness
determination graph), information on the angle of the pelvis
(technically, a change curve of the pelvis angle and a fatigue
level determination graph), and the inclination of the vehicle body
(indicated as vehicle body G in the figure) are displayed as the
seated condition. Information displayed on the monitor screen is
not limited to the above contents.
[0071] The monitor screen of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46
includes a touch panel 46a, and the monitor screen displays
information indicated by information display data and receives a
screen operation (touch operation) performed by a seated person as
an input operation.
<<About Functions of Controller>>
[0072] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, functions of the ECU 41 as a
controller will be described. The ECU 41 includes various functions
relating to the posture correction. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
4, the ECU 41 has an identification information acquisition unit
51, a measurement unit 52, a plan storage unit 53, a presentation
unit 54, a processing execution unit 55, a total sitting time
management unit 56, a mode setting unit 57, a comparison unit 58,
an information display unit 59, a determination unit 60, an
information transfer unit 61, an information read unit 62, and a
plan change unit 63. These functional units are each implemented by
hardware constituting the ECU 41 (specifically, a microprocessor
unit (MPU) and a memory) cooperatively with software to provide a
control circuit for posture correction.
[0073] Hereinafter, each of the above functional units is
described. It is noted that the order of the following descriptions
of the functional units is different from the above listing order
of the functional units.
(Identification Information Acquisition Unit 51)
[0074] The identification information acquisition unit 51 acquires
information identifying a seated person. Here, identification
information is information for identifying a seated person
(personal verification), and for example, corresponds to ID
information of the seated person, image information indicating a
face image or a fingerprint image of the seated person, voice print
information of the seated person, or the like.
[0075] In the present embodiment, the identification information
acquisition unit 51 communicates with a smartphone 44 held by a
seated person to obtain identification information from the
smartphone 44. With this configuration, when a person holding a
smartphone 44 sits down in the vehicle seat S, the ECU 41
communicates with the smartphone 44, thereby automatically
obtaining information identifying the seated person. As a result,
in the present embodiment, information identifying a seated person
can be obtained relatively easily.
[0076] It is noted that a way of acquiring identification
information is not limited to the above-described way.
Identification information may be acquired in such a manner that a
seated person enters identification information through the
in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined input device, and
the ECU 41 receives data on the identification information
(contents of the input operation) from the device that has received
the input operation. Alternatively, identification information may
be acquired by taking a face image of a seated person with a camera
installed in the vehicle or by recording the voice of a seated
person by a microphone installed in the vehicle. Alternatively, a
sensor for identifying a seated person may be installed in the
vehicle (near a handle, for example) so that the ECU 41 acquires
identification information (a result of detection by the sensor)
from the sensor.
(Measurement Unit 52)
[0077] The measurement unit 52 measures the body condition of a
seated person seated in the vehicle seat S, that is, the seated
condition, using a sensor group provided in the vehicle for
measuring the seated condition. Specifically, using the bulging
pressure sensors 32 provided for the respective air bags, the
measurement unit 52 measures the current values of the bulging
pressures of the air bags that have changed when a seated person
sits down in the vehicle seat S. The measurement unit 52 also
measures the current values of pressures applied on portions of the
seat back S1 when the seated person is seated in the vehicle seat
S, using the pressure sensors 33 attached to the front of the air
bags. The measurement unit 52 also measures the respiratory
waveform of the seated person, using the respiration sensor 31. The
measurement unit 52 also measures a load acting on the vehicle seat
S, using the weight sensor 34.
[0078] It is noted that objects to be measured by the measurement
unit 52 and a method of measurement by the measurement unit 52 are
not limited to the above details. It is only necessary to measure
an indicator for specifying the body condition of a seated person
by a suitable method. For example, the skeletal frame shape of a
seated person may be measured with a known shape sensor.
Alternatively, by taking an image of a seated person with an
in-vehicle camera and analyzing the taken image, the curved
condition of the spine of the seated person, a distortion in the
skeletal frame, or the like may be measured.
[0079] As described above, the measurement unit 52 measures the
seated condition of a seated person (specifically, the current
values of the bulging pressures of the air bags and pressures
applied to the seat back S1). In the present embodiment, the
measurement unit 52 performs measurement on the same seated person
(that is, a seated person having the same identification
information) for plural measurement dates. More specifically, when
a person uses the vehicle over a period of multiple days, the
measurement unit 52 measures the seated condition of the person on
a daily basis.
[0080] Values of day-to-day measurement by the measurement unit 52
are stored as a measurement history. The measurement history is
associated with information identifying a seated person, and is
managed for each seated person.
(Determination Unit 60)
[0081] The determination unit 60 determines a seated posture (the
curved condition of a spine) from the current values of indicators
for determining a seated posture (specifically, bulging pressures
measured by the bulging pressure sensors 32 and pressures measured
by the pressure sensors 33) among current values relating to a
seated condition measured by the measurement unit 52. More
specifically, the determination unit 60 selects the corresponding
one of five postures, "round-shouldered," "slightly
round-shouldered," "ideal posture," "slightly backward-bent," and
"backward-bent" and sets the selection result as the current seated
posture of a seated person.
[0082] It can be set as desired in what range the current values of
the indicators measured by the measurement unit 52 (i.e.,
measurement values) are when they correspond to one of the five
seated postures. Seated posture candidates are not limited to the
above five postures and can be determined as desired.
(Plan Storage Unit 53)
[0083] The plan storage unit 53 stores correction plans to be
applied during the posture correction. In the present embodiment, a
plurality of correction plans has been prepared in advance. The
plan storage unit 53 stores n pieces of (n is a natural number
equal to or larger than 2) correction plans as shown in FIG. 5.
[0084] Also, the plan storage unit 53 stores a plan management
table T shown in FIG. 5 together with the correction plans. The
plan management table T is data for managing correction plans set
for seated persons. More specifically, the plan management table T
defines the correspondence relationship between information
identifying a seated person acquired by the identification
information acquisition unit 51 and a correction plan applied when
posture correction is performed on the seated person identified by
the identification information. For example, when posture
correction is performed on a seated person of identification
information "aaa," a correction plan (1) is applied.
(Presentation Unit 54)
[0085] The presentation unit 54 reads a correction plan suitable
for a seated posture determined by the determination unit 60 from
the plan storage unit 53 and presents the correction plan to a
seated person. Here, when the determination unit 60 determines a
seated posture, the seated posture is determined based on current
values relating to a seated condition measured by the measurement
unit 52 as described above. In this context, the presentation unit
54 presents the correction plan based on current values relating to
a seated condition measured by the measurement unit 52.
[0086] To describe in detail the presentation of a correction plan
by the presentation unit 54, the presentation unit 54 refers to a
table for defining the correspondence relationships between seated
postures and correction plans (hereinafter, a correspondence
table), selects one of the correction plans, which is associated
with the seated posture of a seated person determined by the
determination unit 60, and presents the correction plan. In the
correspondence table, different correction plans suitable for
different seated postures are defined. When a seated posture is
determined, one of the corresponding correction plans is selected
based on the correspondence table.
[0087] The correction plan presented to a seated person is stored
in the plan storage unit 53 in association with information
identifying the seated person. That is, the plan storage unit 53
stores the correction plan presented by the presentation unit 54 in
association with information identifying a seated person seated in
the vehicle seat when the presentation unit 54 presents the
correction plan. More specifically, when the presentation unit 54
presents the correction plan, a new record is added to the plan
management table T stored by the plan storage unit 53. This record
is data for associating the correction plan presented by the
presentation unit 54 this time with the information identifying the
seated person when the plan is presented.
(Processing Execution Unit 55)
[0088] The processing execution unit 55 executes processing to
correct a seated posture (hereinafter, correction processing). In
correction processing, the processing execution unit 55 controls
the actuator 18 and the electromagnetic valves V to adjust the
bulging pressures of the air bags. Therefore, the back of a seated
person t is pressed by the air bags. As a result, the seated
posture of the seated person is corrected.
[0089] In the present embodiment, for posture correction, the
processing execution unit 55 specifies information identifying a
seated person seated in the vehicle seat S at the time and reads a
correction plan associated with the identified identification
information from the plan storage unit 53. Then, the processing
execution unit 55 executes correction processing according to
correction contents shown by the read correction plan. Thus, in the
present embodiment, in correcting the seated posture of a seated
person, the correction is performed with the contents shown by the
correction plan presented to the seated person. As a result, the
seated posture of the seated person is corrected properly with the
correction contents suitable for the seated posture of the seated
person.
[0090] Specifically, in correction processing, the processing
execution unit 55 adjusts the bulging pressures of the shoulder air
bags 11a, the lumbar air bag 12a, and the pelvis air bag 13a,
according to the seated posture of a seated person (that is, a
determination result by the determination unit 60). For example,
when the seated posture is round-shouldered, as shown in FIG. 6A,
the bulging pressures of the shoulder air bags 11a, the lumbar air
bag 12a, and the pelvis air bag 13a are made larger in the
mentioned order so that the bulging pressure of the pelvis air bag
13a (indicated with P3 in the figure) is largest. FIG. 6A and FIGS.
6B and 6C described below are diagrams showing the positional
relationships between the spine and the air bags in different
seated postures and are schematic diagrams showing the magnitude
relationships in bulging pressure between the air bags.
[0091] Contrarily, when the seated posture is backward-bent, as
shown in FIG. 6C, the bulging pressure of the shoulder air bags 11a
(indicated with P1 in the figure) is set largest, and the bulging
pressure of the lumbar air bag 12a (indicated with P2 in the
figure) is set smallest. Meanwhile, when the seated posture is the
ideal posture, as shown in FIG. 6B, the bulging pressure of the
lumbar air bag 12a is set larger than the bulging pressure of the
shoulder air bags 11a, and the bulging pressure of the pelvis air
bag 13a is set slightly larger than the bulging pressure of the
lumbar air bag 12a. It is noted that the correction contents shown
in FIGS. 6A to 6C (specifically, the balance in bulging pressure
between the air bags) are only an example are not limited to the
contents shown in these figures.
[0092] In the present embodiment, the processing execution unit 55
corrects the seated posture of a seated person in a correction mode
set by the mode setting unit 57 described below when executing
correction processing. Here, a "correction mode" is a specific
procedure (correction process) of posture correction or a
correction mode. For example, the degree of loads applied to the
body of a seated person during the posture correction (technically,
the rate of change of loads, a load application schedule, the
magnitudes of loads in each time period, and the like) correspond
to a correction mode. In the present embodiment, a correction mode
is set every time correction processing is executed according to
the condition and schedule of a seated person on that day, the
conditions of the vehicle and the surroundings, and other matters
to be considered in setting a correction mode.
[0093] Further, for execution of correction processing, the
processing execution unit 55 controls the heater 15 to warm the
back of a seated person (specifically, a part of the back located
immediately located in front of the heater 15). Furthermore, for
execution of correction processing, the processing execution unit
55 controls the vibration application device 16 to apply vibrations
to the back of the seated person. Thus, muscles of the seated
person (especially muscles of the shoulders, back, and waist) are
relaxed; thereafter, the subsequent posture correction is performed
efficiently.
(Total Sitting Time Management Unit 56)
[0094] The total sitting time management unit 56 manages a total
sitting time for each seated person. Here, a "total sitting time"
means a cumulative total value of times when a seated person having
the same identification information is seated in the vehicle seat
S. In the present embodiment, a total sitting time is managed
relative to the starting time of posture correction when a seated
person undergoes posture correction for the first time (starting
point). That is, in the present embodiment, a total sitting time is
synonymous with a cumulative total time for which a seated person
has undergone posture correction.
[0095] The total sitting time management unit 56 stores a total
sitting time of a seated person in association with information
identifying the seated person, and specifically, stores a
management table defining the correspondence relationship between a
total sitting time and identification information (hereinafter, a
total sitting time management table).
[0096] To describe the management of a total sitting time in
detail, when a seated person sits down in the vehicle seat S, the
total sitting time management unit 56 specifies the total sitting
time of the seated person up to the last time, based on
identification information acquired by the identification
information acquisition unit 51 at the time and the above-described
total sitting time management table. Meanwhile, the total sitting
time management unit 56 counts sitting time from the point in time
when the seated person sits down in the vehicle seat S, and
combines the determined total sitting time up to the last time and
the new sitting time being counted, thereby determining the present
total sitting time. Then, the total sitting time management unit 56
updates, in the total sitting time management table, the total
sitting time associated with the information identifying the seated
person seated in the vehicle seat S to the total sitting time
determined this time.
(Mode Setting Unit 57)
[0097] The mode setting unit 57 sets a correction mode to be
applied when the processing execution unit 55 executes correction
processing. In the present embodiment, as described above, the mode
setting unit 57 sets a correction mode each time correction
processing is executed. In the present embodiment, the mode setting
unit 57 sets a correction mode based on various conditions.
Specifically, a correction mode corresponding to each of the
following matters (r1), (r2), (r3), (r4), (r5), and (r6) is set.
(r1) a total sitting time associated with information identifying a
seated person seated in the vehicle seat S among total sitting
times managed by the total sitting time management unit 56
[0098] (r2) the age of the seated person seated in the vehicle seat
S
[0099] (r3) a scheduled travelling route to be traveled by the
vehicle on that day
[0100] (r4) the day of the week of that day and the current
time
[0101] (r5) a place where the vehicle is travelling (whether the
vehicle is traveling on an expressway)
[0102] (r6) the travelling speed of the vehicle
[0103] As above, in the present embodiment, the above six matters
are considered to set a correction mode, so that posture correction
is performed in a proper mode after the degree of progress of
posture correction (that is, a time for which a seated person has
undergone posture correction), a schedule of the seated person, and
others have been taken into consideration. Specifically, a seated
person undergoes posture correction in a correction mode based on a
total sitting time till then. Thus, loads during the correction are
adjusted properly according to a total sitting time. For example,
loads can be reduced in an early stage of the correction (that is,
when the total sitting time is relatively short), and loads can be
gradually increased as the total sitting time increases.
[0104] When the vehicle travels for a relatively long distance, a
seated person is seated in the vehicle seat S for a long time.
Thus, a correction mode can be set to make the duration of posture
correction longer than a normal time. When the vehicle is driven on
a particular day of the week (e.g. on a holiday) or at a particular
time (e.g. in the early morning), posture correction can be
performed in a correction mode suitable for that day of the week or
the time period. During a period when the vehicle is traveling on
an expressway, the seated posture of a seated person is stabilized,
and thus a correction mode can be set to more frequently apply
loads to the seated person.
[0105] Of the above six matters, (r1), (r4), (r5), and (r6)
dynamically change during a period when the vehicle is travelling.
During a vehicle travelling period, the mode setting unit 57
periodically specifies these four matters, and updates the
correction mode as appropriate according to the determination
results. Thus, in the present embodiment, the correction mode is
periodically updated during execution of correction processing.
When the correction mode is changed, the processing execution unit
55 executes correction processing in the changed correction
mode.
[0106] In the present embodiment, of the above six matters,
information about (r2) is obtained via input by a seated person
through the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined input
device, but not limited thereto. The age of a seated person can be
obtained via analyzation of a face image of the seated person taken
by a camera installed in the vehicle or via measurement of a piece
of information with a predetermined sensor, which varies with the
age (such as the number of wrinkles, bone density, or a body fat
percentage) among pieces of biological information on the seated
person. The age may be an actual age (real age) or may be an age
that depends on physical strength or health condition (so-called
physical age).
[0107] In the present embodiment, information about (r3) is
obtained via communication of the ECU 41 with the car navigation
device 43, but not limited thereto. A scheduled travelling route of
the vehicle can be obtained via input by a seated person through
the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined input
device.
[0108] In the present embodiment, information about (r4) is
obtained from a calendar or an internal clock in the ECU 41, but
not limited thereto. The day of the week of that day and the
current time can be obtained via communication of the ECU 41 with
an external apparatus or a smartphone 44 of a seated person.
[0109] In the present embodiment, information about (r5),
specifically, information on whether the vehicle is currently
travelling on an expressway is obtained when the ECU 41 receives an
output signal from an ETC 47 while the vehicle is passing in front
of the ETC 47, but not limited thereto. Whether the vehicle is
currently travelling on an expressway can be obtained with GPS
mounted in the vehicle, a smartphone 44, or the in-vehicle tablet
terminal 46. Alternatively, whether the vehicle is currently
travelling on an expressway can be obtained via input by a seated
person through the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined
input device.
[0110] In the present embodiment, information about (r6) is
obtained when the ECU 41 receives an output signal from the vehicle
speed sensor 42, but not limited thereto. The vehicle travelling
speed can be obtained via input by a seated person through the
in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined input device.
[0111] In the present embodiment, a correction mode is set
according to the above six matters (r1) to (r6). Matters to be
considered in setting a correction mode are not limited to the
above six matters. Only one or some of the above six matters may be
considered. Alternatively, a matter other than the above six
matters (such as the physical condition of a seated person or the
conditions of a road surface on which the vehicle is travelling)
may be further considered to set a correction mode.
(Information Display Unit 59)
[0112] The information display unit 59 displays information on the
touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. More
specifically, the information display unit 59 generates data for
displaying information (information display data) and transmits it
to the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. The in-vehicle tablet
terminal 46 receives the information display data through the
in-vehicle network, and then develops this and displays the
information indicated by the data on the monitor screen.
[0113] To describe information display data transmitted by the
information display unit 59, data for displaying a result of
determination by the determination unit 60 is transmitted as
information display data. That is, in the present embodiment, the
information display unit 59 displays information showing a
determination result of the determination unit 60, specifically,
the current seated posture of a seated person. Here, as described
above, the determination unit 60 determines a seated posture, based
on current values relating to a seated condition measured by the
measurement unit 52. In this context, the information display unit
59 displays information based on current values relating to a
seated condition measured by the measurement unit 52.
[0114] FIG. 7 shows a screen example on which a result of
determination by the determination unit 60 is displayed. It is
noted that the screen shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a screen on
which a result of determination by the determination unit 60 is
displayed. Screen design, screen layout, and information displayed
are not limited to the contents shown in FIG. 7.
[0115] Information display data transmitted by the information
display unit 59 includes data for displaying a correction plan
presented by the presentation unit 54. That is, in the present
embodiment, the presentation unit 54 presents a correction plan by
allowing the information display unit 59 to display the correction
plan on the screen of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46.
[0116] FIG. 8 shows a screen example on which a correction plan
presented by the presentation unit 54 is displayed. Here, in the
screen, the correction plan includes future risk and factors
associated with a current seated posture, an ideal posture, and
correction contents (a portion written as "By raising pelvis . . .
keep ideal posture." in the figure). However, display contents when
a correction plan is displayed on the screen are not limited to the
contents shown in FIG. 8. Screen design and screen layout for
displaying a correction plan presented by the presentation unit 54
are not limited to the contents shown in FIG. 8.
[0117] In the present embodiment, the information display unit 59
displays information on the touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle
tablet terminal 46, but not limited thereto. For example, the
information display unit 59 may display information on a smartphone
44 held by a seated person or another screen mounted in the vehicle
(e.g. a display of the car navigation device 43).
(Comparison Unit 58)
[0118] The comparison unit 58 compares a seated condition measured
by the measurement unit 52 at the time of the previous measurement
on the same seated person (specifically, measurement values of the
bulging pressures of the air bags and pressures applied to the seat
back S1) with a seated condition measured at the time of
measurement before the time of the previous measurement.
Specifically, when a seated person sits down in the vehicle seat S,
measurement of the seated condition by the measurement unit 52
(that is, present measurement) is performed. Meanwhile, the
comparison unit 58 refers to the measurement history of the seated
person and reads measurement values of the seated condition in the
first measurement (first measurement values).
[0119] Then, the comparison unit 58 compares the present
measurement values with the first measurement values. This
comparison enables grasping of the effect of posture correction
that has been performed until the last time (that is, the degree of
posture improvement by the correction).
[0120] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, about the
present measurement values and the first measurement values
compared, the information display unit 59 displays separate pieces
of information based on the measurement values (technically, images
each showing the curved condition of the spine corresponding to the
measurement values) on the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. This
allows the seated person to check the effect of posture correction
that has been performed until the last time (that is, the effect of
posture improvement by the correction) through the in-vehicle
tablet terminal 46.
[0121] A screen shown in FIG. 9 is only an example of a screen
showing two objects compared by the comparison unit 58. The design
and layout of the screen and information displayed are not limited
to the contents shown in FIG. 9.
(Plan Change Unit 63)
[0122] The plan change unit 63 changes a correction plan presented
by the presentation unit 54 to a seated person as needed. To
describe it strictly, when a predetermined change condition is met,
the plan change unit 63 changes a correction plan associated with
information identifying a seated person seated in the vehicle seat
S when the presentation unit 54 presents the correction plan, from
the correction plan to another of the correction plans stored in
the plan storage unit 53.
[0123] More specifically, in the present embodiment, posture
correction is performed repeatedly for a plurality of days. In
other words, each time the date when a seated person is seated in
the vehicle seat S changes, correction processing is executed
repeatedly on the same seated person. The measurement of a seated
condition by the measurement unit 52 is also performed each time
the date changes. That is, the measurement unit 52 re-measures a
seated condition (specifically, the current values of the bulging
pressures of the air bags and pressures applied to the seat back
S1) after the date when the first correction processing is
started.
[0124] Also, each time the date when a seated person is seated in
the vehicle seat S changes after the date when the first correction
processing is started, the plan change unit 63 determines the
necessity or unnecessity of a plan change based on a seated
condition re-measured by the measurement unit 52 (that is, the
present measurement values). More specifically, when the comparison
unit 58 compares the present measurement values with the first
measurement values, the plan change unit 63 is notified of the
comparison results (e.g. differences in the measurement values).
The plan change unit 63 determines whether the notified comparison
results satisfy the predetermined condition. When the above
condition is met, the plan change unit 63 changes the correction
plan. Specifically, the plan change unit 63 updates the plan
management table T so as to change a correction plan associated
with information identifying a seated person as a target
(technically, a seated person at the point in time when a
correction plan applied in the first correction processing is
presented by the presentation unit 54).
[0125] As above, in the present embodiment, after a correction plan
to be applied in correction processing has been determined, the
correction plan is reviewed as needed. This allows a correction
plan set once to be reviewed appropriately as needed according to
the degree of correction of a seated posture (degree of
improvement). This enables effective correction of a seated
posture.
[0126] For the change of a correction plan, there are no particular
limitations on which plan among correction plans stored in the plan
storage unit 53 to use as a correction plan after a change. It is
desirable to select an optimal plan, considering comparison results
when the comparison unit 58 compares present measurement values
with first measurement values.
(Information Transfer Unit 61 and Information Read Unit 62)
[0127] The information transfer unit 61 transfers various kinds of
information stored in the ECU 41 to the portable memory 45
connected to the ECU 41. The information read unit 62 reads
information from the portable memory 45 connected to the ECU 41.
That is, in the present embodiment, by using the portable memory
45, information stored in the ECU 41 can be transferred.
[0128] Here, information transferred to the portable memory 45 and
read from the portable memory 45 includes measurement values when
the measurement unit 52 measures a seated condition (technically, a
measurement history containing past measurement values),
information identifying a seated person acquired by the
identification information acquisition unit 51, the correspondence
relationship of a correction plan presented by the presentation
unit 54 (specifically the plan management table T), a total sitting
time managed by the total sitting time management unit 56, and a
correction plan after a change when a correction plan is reviewed
by the plan change unit 63.
[0129] In the present embodiment, the provision of the information
transfer unit 61 and the information read unit 62 allows ECUs 41
mounted in different vehicles to perform transfer (handing over) of
information between the ECUs 41 if each has a set of functions
relating to posture correction (that is, the above-described
functional units). Thus, when a vehicle to be used is changed, for
example, information about posture correction stored in an ECU 41
mounted in a vehicle that has been used till then can be handed
over to an ECU 41 in a vehicle newly used. As a result, a vehicle
user (that is, a seated person) can continuously undergo posture
correction in the new vehicle with the same correction contents as
those of posture correction that he or she has undergone in the
vehicle that has been used till then (that is, posture correction
performed on the same correction plan).
[0130] In the present embodiment, the portable memory 45 such as a
USB memory is used as an object to which the information transfer
unit 61 transfers information and from which the information read
unit 62 reads information, but not limited thereto. Specifically,
as a substitute for the portable memory 45, a smartphone 44 held by
a seated person may be used. Alternatively, the in-vehicle tablet
terminal 46 may be used if the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 is
configured to be portable.
<<Operation Example of Condition Correction Unit>>
[0131] Next, as an operation example of the condition correction
unit 1, a flow of posture correction by the condition correction
unit 1 (posture correction flow) will be described. The posture
correction flow is divided mainly into a flow when a seated person
undergoes posture correction for the first time (hereinafter, a
first-time flow), and a flow after the first time (hereinafter, a
normal-time flow). Hereinafter, first, the first-time flow will be
described, and then the normal-time flow will be described.
(First-time Flow)
[0132] The first-time flow proceeds according to a flow shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11. Specifically, when a seated person is seated in
the vehicle seat S according to the present embodiment for the
first time, the first-time flow is automatically started (S001).
More specifically, when a seated person is seated in the vehicle
seat S, the weight sensor 34 outputs a signal corresponding to the
magnitude of the seat weight changed correspondingly. The ECU 41
receives the output signal from the weight sensor 34, and with this
as a trigger, automatically starts a main process of the first-time
flow (process after step S002). In the present embodiment, the
first-time flow is automatically started at the point in time when
a seated person is seated in the vehicle seat S, but not limited
thereto. A seated person may perform a predetermined
operation/action after sitting down in the seat, and with the
operation/action as a trigger, the first-time flow may be
started.
[0133] When the first-time flow is started, the ECU 41
(specifically, the measurement unit 52) performs various kinds of
measurement including measurement on the seated condition of the
seated person (S002). Specifically, the bulging pressures of the
air bags are measured by the bulging pressure sensors 32, and
pressures applied to the portions of the seat back S1 are measured
by the pressure sensors 33. In addition, sitting pressure changing
with respiration is measured by the respiration sensor 31. To
measure the bulging pressures of the air bags, the ECU 41 controls
the actuator 18 and the electromagnetic valves V in a stage before
the seated person is seated in the vehicle seat S and allows the
air bags to be bulged to a predetermined bulging pressure.
[0134] Thereafter, the ECU 41 (specifically, the identification
information acquisition unit 51) communicates with a smartphone 44
held by the seated person to acquire information identifying the
seated person from the smartphone 44 (S003). The ECU 41
(specifically, the determination unit 60) determines the seated
posture of the seated person from the seated condition measured in
step S002 (S004). More specifically, the ECU 41 determines, on the
basis of the current values of the bulging pressures of the air
bags and the current values of the pressures applied to the
portions of the seat back S1, that the current seated posture of
the seated person corresponds to any of the following states: the
"round-shouldered," "slightly round-shouldered," "ideal posture,"
"slightly backward-bent," and "backward-bent".
[0135] Then, the ECU 41 (specifically, the information display unit
59) generates information display data for displaying the
determined seated posture and transmits it to the in-vehicle tablet
terminal 46. Consequently, a seated posture determination result is
displayed on the touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal
46 (S005).
[0136] Thereafter, the ECU 41 performs the following process
according to the seated posture determination result. Specifically,
when the determined seated posture is the ideal posture (Yes in
S006), the ECU 41 terminates the first-time flow. Meanwhile, when
the determined seated posture is a posture other than the ideal
posture (No in S006), the ECU 41 performs the following process
with a mode designation operation by the seated person as a
trigger.
[0137] Here, to describe the mode designation operation by the
seated person, the mode designation operation is an operation
performed to designate one of a plurality of candidates prepared
for control modes of the ECU 41. In the present embodiment, the
operation is performed through the touch panel 46a of the
in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. Two candidates are prepared as
control modes by the ECU 41. Specifically, a "comfortable
correction" mode and an "ideal correction" mode are set. The "ideal
correction" mode is a mode to perform posture correction, and
specifically, is a mode to control the actuator 18, the
electromagnetic valves V, and others so that the current seated
posture is corrected to the ideal posture.
[0138] The "comfortable correction" mode is a mode to stabilize the
current seated posture as it is, and is a mode to control the
actuator 18, the electromagnetic valves V, and others so that the
seated person can easily keep the current seated posture.
[0139] In order to designate one of the above two control modes,
the seated person presses one of two designation buttons (buttons
with letters "comfortable correction" and "ideal correction" in
FIG. 7) displayed on the touch panel 46a together with the seated
posture determination result. This button operation is the mode
designation operation. The ECU 41 receives the operation through
the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46.
[0140] When the "comfortable correction" mode is designated
("comfortable correction" in S007), the ECU 41 performs the
above-described comfortable correction (S008).
[0141] Meanwhile, when the "ideal correction" mode is designated
("ideal correction" in S007), the ECU 41 performs the
above-described ideal correction. To perform the ideal correction,
the ECU 41 (specifically, the presentation unit 54) accesses the
plan storage unit 53, and reads a correction plan suitable for the
current seated posture of the seated person determined in the
previous step S004 from the correction plans stored in the plan
storage unit 53. Then, the ECU 41 presents the read correction plan
to the seated person (S009). More specifically, the ECU 41
(specifically, the information display unit 59) generates
information display data for displaying the read correction plan
and transmits it to the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46.
Consequently, as shown in FIG. 8, the correction plan read by the
ECU 41, that is, the correction plan suitable for the current
seated posture of the seated person is displayed (presented) on the
touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46.
[0142] The ECU 41 stores the presented correction plan in
association with the information identifying the seated person
acquired in the previous step S003 in the plan storage unit 53
(S010). Specifically, the ECU 41 updates the plan management table
T so that a record in which the identification information and the
correction plan are associated with each other is added into the
plan management table T.
[0143] Thereafter, when the seated person gives a command to
perform ideal correction with the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46
(specifically, presses a button with the letters "start correction"
in FIG. 8), with this as a trigger, the ECU 41 performs ideal
correction (S011). The ideal correction proceeds by the ECU 41
executing steps shown in FIG. 12.
[0144] Specifically, in the ideal correction, the ECU 41
(specifically, the processing execution unit 55) reads the
correction plan associated with the information identifying the
seated person seated in the vehicle seat S from the plan storage
unit 53 (S021).
[0145] Next, the ECU 41 (specifically, the processing execution
unit 55) controls the heater 15 to warm the predetermined part of
the back of the seated person (S022), and controls the vibration
application device 16 to apply vibrations to the back of the seated
person (S023). Therefore, muscles (especially muscles of the
shoulders, back, and waist) of the seated person are relaxed, and
then the subsequent posture correction is efficiently
performed.
[0146] Thereafter, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit
57) sets a correction mode to be applied during correction
processing (S024). To describe a process to set a correction mode,
as shown in FIG. 13, the ECU 41 (specifically, the total sitting
time management unit 56) determines the total sifting time of the
seated person seated in the vehicle seat S at that point in time
(S031). In a stage immediately after the start of the first-time
flow, the total sifting time is zero.
[0147] Thereafter, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit
57) determines the day of the week of that day and the current time
period (S032). The ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57)
communicates with the car navigation device 43 to determine the
scheduled distance of travel of the vehicle on that day (S033). The
ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57) determines the
current traveling place of the vehicle, more specifically, whether
the vehicle is travelling on an expressway, on the basis of a
signal received from an ETC 47 or the like (S034). Further, the ECU
41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57) specifies the age of
the seated person entered by the seated person through the
in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 (S035). After completing such a
series of determination steps, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode
setting unit 57) sets a correction mode according to the
determination results in the previous steps S031 to S035
(S036).
[0148] After setting the correction mode, the ECU 41 (specifically,
the processing execution unit 55) executes correction processing in
the correction mode set in the previous step S036, according to
correction contents shown by the correction plan read in the
previous step S021 (S025).
[0149] Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the ECU 41 (specifically, the
processing execution unit 55) periodically repeats the step of
setting a correction mode and the step of executing correction
processing until a correction termination condition is met (S026).
The correction termination condition defines the timing to
terminate execution of ideal correction of that day (one day).
Examples of the correction termination condition include a lapse of
a pre-specified correction time, an arrival of the vehicle at a
destination, and an operation being performed by the seated person
to give an instruction for correction termination.
[0150] At the point in time when the correction termination
condition is met, the posture correction for the first time is
completed, and the first-time flow ends.
(Normal-time Flow)
[0151] The normal-time flow is performed after a day when the
first-time flow is performed, and proceeds according to a flow
shown in FIG. 14. Specifically, like the first-time flow, the
normal-time flow is automatically started at the point in time when
a seated person is seated in the vehicle seat S (S041). Thereafter,
the ECU 41 performs various kinds of measurement on the seated
condition or the like of the seated person (S042), acquisition of
information identifying the seated person (S043), and determination
of the seated posture (S044) by a process similar to that in the
first-time flow.
[0152] As described above, in the present embodiment, the ECU 41
performs the measurement of a seated condition, the acquisition of
identification information, and the determination of a seated
posture, as a routine common to the first-time flow and the
normal-time flow. When the acquired identification information is
coincided with identification information acquired previously, the
ECU 41 subsequently performs the normal-time flow by the process
shown in FIG. 14. The fact that the normal-time flow is performed
means that for a seated person having the same identification
information, the measurement of a seated condition and the
determination of a seated posture are performed over a period of
multiple days. In other words, in the normal-time flow, the seated
posture of a seated person is re-measured after the day when the
first-time flow is performed.
[0153] After the determination of the seated posture in the
normal-time flow, the ECU 41 (specifically, the comparison unit 58)
performs posture comparison (S045). Specifically, in the posture
comparison, the measurement values of the seated condition in the
first-time flow (the first measurement values) are compared with
the measurement values of the seated condition measured this time
in the normal-time flow (the present measurement values).
[0154] Thereafter, the ECU 41 (specifically the information display
unit 59) generates information display data for displaying the
results of the posture comparison and transmits it to the
in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 9,
the comparison results of the seated postures, specifically pieces
of image information based on the present measurement values and
the first measurement values, respectively, are displayed on the
touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 (S046). Thus,
the seated person grasps the effect of the posture correction (the
degree of posture improvement) that has been performed until the
last time through the touch panel 46a.
[0155] Meanwhile, the ECU 41 (specifically the plan change unit 63)
determines on the basis of the comparison results in the previous
step S046 whether to change the correction plan to be applied at
the time of correcting the posture of the seated person
(technically, the seated person seated in the vehicle seat S at the
time). Specifically, the ECU 41 specifies the degree of correction
on the seated posture of the seated person from the comparison
results, and when the correction degree is equal to or higher than
a certain level (Yes in S047), the plan is not changed. In this
case, in a situation where ideal correction (that is, posture
correction) is performed on the seated person having the same
identification information, the ECU 41 continues to apply the
correction plan that has been associated with the identification
information up to that time, therefore performing ideal correction
(S048).
[0156] By contrast, when the correction degree is less than the
certain level (No in S047), the ECU 41 (specifically, the
presentation unit 54) reads a correction plan suitable for the
correction degree at that point in time from the correction plans
stored in the plan storage unit 53, and presents the correction
plan as a new correction plan to the seated person (S049). Then,
the ECU 41 (specifically the plan change unit 63) changes the
correction plan associated with the information identifying the
seated person to which the new correction plan is presented (S050).
Specifically, the ECU 41 updates the plan management table T so
that the above plan change is reflected. After that, the ECU 41
(specifically, the processing execution unit 55) performs ideal
correction (that is, posture correction) on the changed correction
plan (S051).
[0157] In the normal-time flow, ideal correction proceeds in a
process similar to that in the first-time flow (that is, the
process shown in FIG. 12). Also, in the normal-time flow, the step
of setting a correction mode and the step of executing correction
processing are repeated periodically until the correction
termination condition is met. At the point in time when the
correction termination condition is met, the posture correction of
that day is completed, and the normal-time flow ends.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0158] Although the condition correction unit of the present
disclosure has been mainly described in the above embodiment, the
above embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the
present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present
disclosure. That is, it will be understood that the present
disclosure can be altered and modified without departing from its
scope and that the present disclosure includes its equivalents.
[0159] In the above embodiment, a plurality of correction plans has
been prepared in a stage before a seated person is seated in the
vehicle seat S, and has been stored in the plan storage unit 53 in
advance, but not limited thereto. After a seated person has sat
down in the vehicle seat S, for example, after the seated condition
of the seated person has been measured, a correction plan
reflective of the measurement values may be newly created.
[0160] In the above embodiment, a case where posture correction is
repeatedly performed on the same seated person over a period of
multiple days has been described as an example, but not limited
thereto. The present disclosure is also applicable to a case where
posture correction is performed on a seated person at one time.
[0161] In the above embodiment, the condition correction unit 1 of
the present disclosure is used mainly for the purpose of correcting
the seated posture of a seated person. However, the use of the
condition correction unit 1 is not particularly limited, and the
condition correction unit 1 may be used for correcting body
condition other than seated posture, such as muscle strength,
flexibility, and skeletal distortion.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0162] 1: condition correction unit [0163] 11: shoulder support
[0164] 11a: shoulder air bag (operating unit, air bag) [0165] 12:
lumbar support [0166] 12a: lumbar air bag (operating unit, air bag)
[0167] 13: pelvis support [0168] 13a: pelvis air bag (operating
unit, air bag) [0169] 14: side support [0170] 15: heater (warming
unit) [0171] 16: vibration application device (vibration
application unit) [0172] 18: actuator (operating unit) [0173] 31:
respiration sensor [0174] 32: bulging pressure sensor [0175] 33:
pressure sensor [0176] 34: weight sensor [0177] 41: ECU [0178] 42:
vehicle speed sensor [0179] 43: car navigation device [0180] 44:
smartphone (portable terminal) [0181] 45: portable memory [0182]
46: in-vehicle tablet terminal [0183] 46a: touch panel [0184] 47:
ETC [0185] 51: identification information acquisition unit [0186]
52: measurement unit [0187] 53: plan storage unit [0188] 54:
presentation unit [0189] 55: processing execution unit [0190] 56:
total sitting time management unit [0191] 57: mode setting unit
[0192] 58: comparison unit [0193] 59: information display unit
[0194] 60: determination unit [0195] 61: information transfer unit
[0196] 62: information read unit [0197] 63: plan change unit [0198]
S: vehicle seat [0199] S1: seat back [0200] S2: seat cushion [0201]
S3: headrest [0202] T: plan management table [0203] V:
electromagnetic valve (operating unit)
* * * * *